Headband attachment



Nov. l5, 1927;

1,649,551 A. c. SMITH HEADBAND ATTACHMENT Filed March 19K. 1926 wm maf@ Patented Nov.' 15, 1927.

.AMGS C. SMITH, F ELBERTON, GEORGIA.

HEADIBAND ATTACHMENT.

Application led March 19, 1926. Serial No. 96,070.

My invention relates to headband attachments for earphones such as commonly used .for radio or telephone receiving sets and comprises primarily means pressure of the earphones against the ears of the user.

An object of my invention is to provide an adjustable connection between the springlike headband and the earphones by means '10 of which the receiver may comfortably and securely on persons whose heads are of varying 'widths aswell as of varying lengths. The average earphone Set used for radio and similar reception purposes includes a pair of ear engaging devices connected by a resilient headband, the phones usually being adjustable vertically so that the same may be used by persons whose heads vary in length.

means provided for adjusting the phones horizontally so as to adapt the 4same for persons having heads of varying widths was by bendingthe headband thereby increasing' or decreasing the distance between the phones.

The object of my invention is to provide a novel construction for connecting the headband to the earphones whereby the user may instantly adjustthe same to a comfortable position upon his head by moving the same 3o either vertically or horizontally as desired.

With this and other objects and advantages in view I propose the construction and operation of a headband attachment for earphones as more fully hereinafter set forth in the following specification reference being had to the accompanyin drawing forming part hereof, wherein 1i e numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which Figure 1 is an elevational view of a set of earphones constructed in accordance with my invention,

Figure 2 is a verticalsectional view through the headband connection,

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the regulating thumbscrew,

Figure 4 is a group .perspective of the parts forming the gear segment, and

. Figure 5 is a view taken substantially along a line 5--5 of Figure 2.

Referring now to the drawings, l have dis-I closed a preferred embodiment of my invention comprising an arcuate shaped headband 5 formed of a pair of paralleli arranged spring-like wire or other suitab e material, and having a padded covering 6 for contact with the top of the head; vThe ends of the for regulating the be adapted to fit Heretofore the only Wire 7 at cach side of the headband are curved in opposite directions in the form of a semi-circle, each pair of end sections coacting to constitute a. substantially complete circle and adapted' to iit within similarly shaped grooves or recesses 8 formed in the abutting faces of a pair of circular disks arranged the disks 9 is provided with an upstanding centrally disposed tending therethrough, and the other disk 11 lis provided with an enlarged bore through vwhich the flange is inserted, the flauwe bein (1 of sutiicient length to extend throiingh and have its outer edge turned down against the disk 11 so as to clinch the parts together. The edge of the disks when in assembled relation is provided with a gear segment 12 arranged at the opposite side from the connection with the ends of the headband.

in superimposed relation. One ot iiange 10 and a bore eX- vArranged for co-acting with the assembled disks, I provide an adjusting-screw 13 having a central bore 14 through which is slidably inserted the stem 15 carrying the yoke 16 to which is pivotally mounted the usual type of earphones 17. One end of the screw is provided with a shank 18 of reduced circuinference upon which a spirally arranged rib 19 is formed substantially similar in construction to a worm gear which is adapted to mesh with the ear segment 12. An annular flange 2O is ormed at the reduced end of the screw and a similar fiange 21 is formed thereon intermediate the ends.

A clamp 22 is provided, having a circular head 28 for encircling the worm gear Section of the screw and disposed between the annular flanges 20 and 21 and having its ends 24 extended in parallel relation to engage the outer faces of the disks 9 and 11. The ends of t-hev clamp are provided with openings in alignment with the bore of the disks so that a rivet 25 may be inserted therethrough to lmaintain the clamp and the disks in pivoted relation.

The bore of the screw at the end remote from the end carrying the worm gear is of an vincreased diameter as indicated at 26, its outer portion being threaded to receive a threaded hollow plug 27. The depth of the increased portion of `the bore is sutilcient to admit a spiral sprin 28 the convolutions of which are arrange to form a sliding tight lit about the'stem 15. The spring serves the double function of holdingl the stem in any set position, thus preventing the earphones from slipping vertically and also because of the gripping tendenc on the stem the rotation thereof is prevente thus avoidingthe twisting of the receiver wires about the earphones. y l

From the foregoing it ywill be seen that by providing a' gear segment on the disks having their axis at right angles to the screw carrylng the worm ear with which the gear segment engages, t at the turning of the wormgear will operate to bring the teeth of the gear segment successively .into engagement therewith.l This -operation necessitates the movement of the 'screw carrying the worm about the axis of the disks, the clamp securing the parts having its ends givotally carried on the disks 'to accommoate such movement. The disks. bein fixedly secured on the ends of the hea band cannot turn, therefore limiting any movement to the screw and the parts carried thereby. Thus the movement of the worm through the turning ofthe screw will result iu swinging the stem carrying the earphones from a vertical position to an inclinedvposi- .tion and consequently the earphones mounted on the bottom o'f the stem will be swung horizontally and accordingly into or out of Contact with the operators ears as desiredJ I clalm:

l. A. device Aof the characterdescribed comprising a headband, a gear segment formed at one end thereof, an earphone hav ing a stem, a hollow screw slidably mounted on said stem, frictional means for maintaining the screw and the stem in adjusted rela tion, a worm gear formed on said stem and a clamp operatively connecting said gears.

`operatively connecting said gears.

3. A device of the character described comprising a headband includingr a pair of wires having their ends bent c1rcularly,a

pair of disks arranged in superimposed reation, recesses formed on their abuttino' faces and adapted to receive the ends of sai wires, a bore provided in said disks, a gear segment formed on the periphery of said disks, earphones having a stem, a hollow screw mounted on said stem, a worm gear formed thereon, a clamp encircling said screw and having its ends engaging the outer .faces of said disks and a pin carried in the bore of. said disks and pivotally'securing the ends of said clampthereto.

In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature. y

AMos o. SMITH. 

